JESSE'S REEF - 350 GAL -CADE S3/P 2200

[jessesreef]

How’s it going, everyone!

My name is Jesse, I’m from Sydney, Australia, and welcome to my tank thread!

I’ve always had a lifelong love for all things marine, but it’s only in the past year that I’ve really dived into keeping a reef tank. My journey began last Christmas when my sister gifted me a modest Aqua One Nano Cube setup, complete with live rock, a pair of Ocellaris clownfish, and two bubble tip anemones. I was over the moon! Over the past 12 months, with guidance from my LFS and by scouring the threads of the amazing Reef2Reef community, I’ve completely thrown myself into the hobby.

My nano quickly evolved into a mixed reef tank. While I had managed to avoid most problem algae and hitchhikers until recently, I now find myself in a vicious battle with dictyota—much harder to manage than I anticipated! Regardless, the journey has been incredibly fun, and I’m well aware that many more challenges lie ahead.

Excited by the progress and challenges of my nano, I’ve decided to take the plunge and upgrade to a CADE S3/P 2200. It’s a massive step up from my nano cube, and I’m looking forward to experimenting with more advanced corals, refining my husbandry, and pushing my skills as a reef keeper. I know this setup will come with its own set of challenges, but after a year of learning the ropes, I’m more than ready to embrace them—and share the journey with this awesome community.

Please feel free to follow along on instagram too:

@jesses_reef


So it begins........

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Reef Log]

Followed

 

[jessesreef]

G’day everyone -

Here are the specs for my new CADE peninsula build, along with a bit of backstory and the reasoning behind some of my choices.

I feel like I’ve got a pretty solid foothold on the setup so far, but I know the Reef2Reef community always has sharp eyes and clever ideas. I’m keen to hear any thoughts, tips, or insights you guys might have!


SPECS:

• CADE S3/P 2200
• 3 X RADION XR30 G6 BLUE
• 2 X RADION XR15 G6 BLUE
• 6 X MANTIS TOURBON 200 WAVEMAKER
• 1 X REDSEA REEF RUN G2 12000 DC
• 1 X RED SEA REEF RUN DUAL DC PUMP CONTROLLER
• 1 X RED SEA DC SKIMMER 900
• 1 X REDSEA REEFMAT 1200
• 2 X SCHEGO TITANIUM HEATER 600W
• 1 X TECO CHILLER - TK2000
• 1 X UV LIFEGUARD 120W 3”
• 1 X NEPTUNE APEX A3 PRO
• 1 X NEPTUNE TRIDENT
• 3 X NEPTUNE DOS
• 1 X NEPTUNE AUTO TOP OFF KIT
• 1 X NEPTUNE COR15 RETURN PUMP
• 1 x NEPTUNE - SOLENOID VALVE
• 1 X NEPTUNE CONDUCTIVITY PROBE
• 1 X NEPTUNE FLOW SENSOR 2”/ FS-200
• 1 X NEPTUNE MAGNETIC PROBE RACK
• 1 X NEPTUNE FLOW MONITORING KIT
• 1 X VCA SALNITY PROBE STABILITY KIT

THE TANK

CADE S3/P 2200 – Peninsula

For the first four months of planning, I was dead set on a Red Sea 950+ S Peninsula.

Then, reef fate intervened.

The day before I was due to make the Red Sea payment, my LFS received one of the very first CADE S3/P 2200s in Australia. Naturally, I “just popped in for a look”… and that was basically the end of the Red Sea era.

The moment I saw the CADE in person, it just felt right—and there were three big reasons why:

Local support that actually matters

My LFS is CADE’s Supplier of the Year in Australia and has a direct relationship with Adam, the owner of CADE. I haven’t met him yet, but everyone I’ve spoken to says he’s incredibly passionate, hands-on, and genuinely cares about his products and customers. That kind of backing goes a long way with a tank of this size.

Sump access from three sides

Full access from three sides seems like common sense and makes life easier—maintenance, upgrades, troubleshooting.


It’s bigger. And bigger is better, right?

More water volume, more stability, more aquascaping potential—and more room for coral dreams to get out of hand.


LIGHTING

3 x XR30 G6 Blue + 2 x XR15 G6 Blue

When I was first planning the Red Sea Peninsula, I had my eye on the ReefLED G2’s. I spent some time checking them out at my LFS — they’re seriously impressive, super powerful, and with the ReefBeat app they promised a seamless, smart setup. At the time, it felt like the obvious choice.

But when I switched to the CADE, suddenly the lighting options felt wide open.

I’ve been running an XR15 G6 Blue on my nano for the past 12 months, and it was basically my “first proper step” into serious reef keeping. It’s been rock-solid — reliable, and delivered amazing coral growth across the board. That experience made the decision to stick with Ecotech even more compelling.

So I decided to double down. I have gone with 3 XR30s and an additional XR15. When I purchased these luck was on my side — the day after I locked in the Radions, the price shot up significantly. I don’t know the exact increase, but I’m positive I saved more than a thousand dollars — money that would have been tough to justify otherwise.

WAVEMAKERS

6 x Mantis Tourbon 200

This one was probably the last major decision I made for the setup — and it came with a bit of soul-searching.

Initially, my heart was set on TUNZE Turbelles. Unfortunately, they’re completely unavailable in Australia right now, with no stock expected anytime soon.

Next up were the MP60s. They made sense: controlled via Mobius like the Radions. But after the late-year price jump, the cost seemed kinda crazy.

After some long chats with Kev at ARC (my LFS guru), we settled on a pragmatic compromise: focus the budget on the non-negotiables and take a different approach to flow.

In perspective: 6 x Mantis cost around $1,700, whereas just 4 MP60s would’ve been $5,200. That’s a huge difference for essentially moving water.

I know some reefers might raise an eyebrow here, but for me, this approach made the most sense. The Mantis might have a shorter lifespan and leads in the tank , but it’s a solid, budget-conscious solution that gets the job done without compromising the rest of the build.

I’ll keep everyone updated as I dial in flow and see how the system behaves — the proof will be in the corals.


THE SUMP

• 1 x Red Sea Reef Run G2 12000 DC – The backbone of the system. Heartbeat of the tank.
• 1 x Red Sea DC Skimmer 900 – I flirted with the idea of an OCTO for a while, but Kev at ARC vetoed that option due to the price. I’ve heard glowing reviews about the 900, so I’m confident this will do the job well.
• 1 x Red Sea ReefMat 1200 – It’s a tight fit in the CADE sump. Will need to find a solution to make it work.
• 1 x TECO Chiller TK2000 + 1 x UV Lifeguard 120W 3” – These will be plumbed outdoors to save space inside and allow for better heat dissipation.
• 2 X SCHEGO TITANIUM HEATER 600W

NEPTUNE APEX

• 1 X NEPTUNE APEX A3 PRO
• 1 X NEPTUNE TRIDENT
• 3 X NEPTUNE DOS
• 1 X NEPTUNE AUTO TOP OFF KIT
• 1 X NEPTUNE COR15 RETURN PUMP
• 1 x NEPTUNE - SOLENOID VALVE
• 1 X NEPTUNE CONDUCTIVITY PROBE
• 1 X NEPTUNE FLOW SENSOR 2”/ FS-200
• 1 X NEPTUNE MAGNETIC PROBE RACK
• 1 X NEPTUNE FLOW MONITORING KIT
• 1 X VCA SALNITY PROBE STABILITY KIT

The plan here is 2 X DOS for 3 part dosing. The additional DOS to be dedicated to a constant water change.

The Trident to monitor and dose ALK, CAL, MAG and trace elements (Balling method).
The COR15 is to pump water through the UV and chiller circuit.
The rest is ancillary to monitoring.

Here are some photos of this silly amount of gear in the back of my car looking like some sort of big kids prize pack…..

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this setup gang!

Follow along @jesses_reef

 

[tyson.redfern]

Look at that car full of greatness! Following along!

 

[jessesreef]

Happy Australia Day everyone!

The big boy is installed - 6 men and 14 beers later.

What blew my mind the most about the installation was the 250 kg tank balancing on a polystyrene box. A trick of the trade it seems - and apparently it can support way more!?

Anyways here’s some shots….

 

[AliasRudster]

I can’t wait to see this tank up and running mate. I’m in Victoria and will be getting this exact
Same tank later this year once we have moved into our new house .

 

[sde1500]

Following! I’m hoping to get this exact tank for my next upgrade.

 

[1ocean]

amazing.....

 

[shadyraro]

Looking good mate, fellow Sydney reefer here.!

 

[Real_Swim_Shady]

Tank and equipment looks solid so far! Following along from the UK. Have you managed to do the aquascape yet?

 

[Goonsack Steve]

Updates? Always wanting to see S3 builds

 

[Indiana Reefin]

You are literally setting up my dream setup! Thanks for all the details and I love your attention to detail! This is going to be an amazing setup!

Nano tanks are great! They pretty much get everyone into the hobby. Good test run before the big setup. I remember my first nano which started with anemones then a mixed reef. I had a little aquapod 12 gallon. Great starter tank.

 

[parclife]

Wow and wow!! How’s it going?